State House approves registry of gun offenders

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers have given final approval of a plan to create a central registry to track firearm offenders.

The state House approved the idea Tuesday with an 89-8 vote. Judges may require people convicted of gun offenses to register as firearm offenders. The registrants must keep their information up to date, and the requirement to register continues for four years.

The registry maintained by the Washington State Patrol would be accessible by law enforcement officers but would not be available to the public.

Supporters say the measure will help local law enforcement combat gun violence and go after repeat gun offenders.